France

   I first visited France during Valentines in 1999. Romantic huh? Well, it was for an interview so wasn't exactly a relaxing trip. I had one day to sightsee, and walked all over Paris from dawn to dusk as if I would never be coming back again. For some reason I have a special fondness towards Paris, perhaps because I studied French in high school, and perhaps because it was my first point of entry into Europe. Since moving to the UK, I have had numerous opportunities to visit and stay in Paris and Cannes. Many friends complained about their unpleasant experience in France citing "arrogant French people refusing to speak English" as the primary reason. French people indeed have their own way of doing things whether you like it or not, but I have found them generally quite amiable. There continues to be an interesting tension between British and French however. I recall a meeting with a British during which we shared stories of working with French. He told me that many British were not happy when the Channel Tunnel was being completed. I was surprised--"Why? Wouldn't people be glad that they could get to France much more easily for a weekend getaway and good wine and dine?" He frowned, "Yeah, but the French would be able to come over too!" ...I bursted into laughters, almost rolling out of my chair. The truth is, French are probably too proud to want to visit Britain...

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